Van Nuys bomb threat turns out to be hoax

A bomb threat in a Van Nuys neighborhood forced residents from their homes early Wednesday morning, but it all turned out to be a hoax.

Authorities received a call around 2 a.m. about a car with its hazard lights on along Sherman Way near some apartments. The caller claimed the vehicle contained a bomb.

Police evacuated dozens of area residents as the bomb squad moved in to investigate. Authorities say they thoroughly checked the vehicle but found nothing in the car.

"First the bomb squad sent robots in with cameras. They looked inside the vehicle, found nothing that raised any kind of alarm. Opened it up, hand-searched along with the K-9 and myself, and there were no explosive materials whatsoever," said LAPD Officer Gary Newton.

Residents got the all-clear at about 4 a.m. and were allowed to return to their homes. Authorities say people are being more vigilant and reporting suspicious activity following the Boston Marathon attack, but hoaxes have increased as well.